LOUISBURG - Kerina Hobaugh, 55, passed away at Duke University Medical Center on April 13, 2012 after a 12 year battle with leukemia. She was born June 27, 1956 in Osaka, Japan where her father was stationed with the USAF. In 1975, she moved with her parents to Raleigh and began a 30-year career with the Dept. of Human Resources where she worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist.

She is survived by her daughter, Samantha and her fiancé Gene Murray of the home; her parents, Lee and Dorothy Hester; many loving relatives and friends; and a special companion lab dog named Boomer. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard E. Hobaugh.

Keri was a beautiful person whose loving spirit and ever-present smile radiated the joy she experienced in living every day of her life. She was deeply devoted to her family and was happiest when she was spending time in family/friend gatherings or with the “light of her life,, her daughter Samantha. In her battle against leukemia, she was a constant inspiration, and those who knew her will always remember her joy in living, her laughter, her positive attitude, her caring and loving ways and of course, her courage.